Larval Fish Conference

A deep and thorough understanding of the biology and ecology of fish early life stages is central to the management of fish as a renewable resource. For most species, the larvae and early juveniles represent life intervals that are ecologically distinct f rom each other and from their later juvenile and adult counterparts. Knowledge of the habitat requirements and limitations, population dynamics, behaviour, physiology, and anatomy of these early life intervals will improve our understanding of aquatic eco systems and communities and facilitate more effective monitoring and management of fish populations and habitats. Such knowledge is particularly valuable in evaluations of environmental impacts and recovery of endangered species. It is also fundamental fo r successful commercial development of fishes in aquaculture. Given the storied (and ongoing) history of research on the early life history of fishes in Norway, and the central importance of fish products to the Norwegian economy, The event will be useful to a broad range of researchers.